Western Mediterranean countries adopt roadmap to develop sustainable blue economy in the region

Algiers, 4 December, 2018. Ministers of the Western Mediterranean countries, together with the European Commission and the Union for the Mediterranean, adopted today a declaration to strengthen regional cooperation on the WestMED initiative. 

This initiative promotes the maritime economy in the Western Mediterranean, and involves 10 countries from in and outside of the EU (Algeria, France, Italy, Libya, Malta, Mauritania, Morocco, Portugal, Spain and Tunisia).

The signatories agreed on a common roadmap for the development of a sustainable blue economy in the sub-basin to generate growth, create jobs and provide a better living environment for Mediterranean populations, while preserving the services performed by the Mediterranean ecosystem.

Nasser Kamel, Secretary General of the Union for the Mediterranean said: “The Mediterranean Sea has an enormous potential and a wealth of resources that we need to optimise in a sustainable and collaborative manner in order to promote growth, jobs and investments as well as reduce poverty, whilst safeguarding healthy seas. The promotion of the blue economy in the Mediterranean region is a priority for the UfM countries. For this reason, I welcome today’s declaration, which will help us plan and build specific initiatives for a more sustainable and inclusive growth in our region”.